IMPHAL, June 27– All the ministers of the Congress-led ruling Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government are likely to tender resignation from their respective portfolios on July 4 to facilitate ministry downsizing. All the ministers, except Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, would resign before the formal dateline of July 7,sources said. Only the final touches like the consent of the Congress president Sonia Gandhi, remain for the July 7 downsizing process and it is unlikely there would be any hitches on submission of resignation papers by the Ministers on July 4.
The total strength of the SPF Government including the Chief Minister is 33. Informed sources told this correspondent that the Chief Minister, currently in the national capital along with his ministerial colleagues, is likely to return to Imphal on June 30. Sources added that 11 ruling MLAs have been shortlisted to take the oath of office on July 7. A tentative understanding has been reached among the SPF ministers despite the fact that visit of the CM and other ministers to discuss downsizing formalities with the PMDr Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi is yet to materialise.
The Central leaders are likely to have a meeting with Ibobi and his ministers later today. It may be mentioned here that Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing and Power Minister Phunzathang Tonsing went to New Delhi on Friday for discussion on the issue with the Chief Minister while Family Welfare Minister Bijoy Koijam and Works Minister Gaikhangam are also holed up at the national capital for the same purpose.
In another development, some ministers of the state government, in their attempt to secure berths in the new ministry, are separately meeting senior AICC leaders and strong lobbying is on to convince the Central leaders. In spite of earlier speculations, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker TN Haokip is unlikely to figure in the new list of new ministers. The Chief Minister had reportedly urged Haokip to give up the claim.
Hill Areas Committee Chairman Songchinkhup and Deputy Speaker M Lala are fuming at the Chief Minister’s reluctance to address their respective grievances with particular reference to the downsizing process. It pertinent to mention that expressing their displeasure, both Songchinkhup and Lala had even submitted their resignations as the Chief Minister had not kept his word on assurances to accommodate the two in the Council of Ministers when the SPF Ministry expansion was last effected on April 21, 2003.